Eutelsat satellite returned to factory as French Guiana unrest continues

Protests roiling the South American home of Europe’s primary spaceport prompted Airbus Defence and Space to send Europe’s first high-power, all-electric satellite back to France until Arianespace resumes launching. Airbus flew the Eutelsat-172b satellite to Cayenne, French Guiana last last month in anticipation of its upcoming launch. But Arianespace has suspended launches from the Guiana Space Centre as labor strikes and civil protests have spread throughout the French overseas department, blocking roads and disrupting normal commerce. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Apr 4)